Open space closure targets fire danger, homeless encampments

SANTA CRUZ >> Citing the year’s drought conditions, the Santa Cruz Fire Department has issued an emergency order closing off-trail public wildlands and open space areas to the public.

Releasing the information as a press release through a Facebook post to the department’s account, officials clarified that city “trails and roads are open for normal use like hiking, walking, mountain bike riding, etc. This closure is addressing off-trail camping.” Individuals occupying the offtrail areas are ordered to vacate the premises and have been given notification by department personnel over the last several weeks, according to Fire Chief Jason Hajduk’s order. Additional written notice also will be provided to those living in the affected areas, he said.

Hajduk cited “multiple fires associated with off-trail campsites” in city wildland areas so far this year, ahead of a coming “extremely dry summer season” as grounds for the order.

“This closure is necessary because of potential for extreme fire behavior in dry vegetation in off-trail areas such as Pogonip, DeLaveaga and Moore Creek,” Hadjuk’s release states. “These conditions, coupled with the number of fires that have already occurred in these areas necessitates closure until conditions change.”

In addition to areas Hajduk cited, the order affects Sycamore Grove, Arana Gulch and Arroyo Seco. It was not immediately clear where affected people without shelter would be allowed to relocate. Those who fail to comply with the order risk potential misdemeanor charges, however.

When the fire department issued a similar open space/wildland closure in November 2018, the order was a precursor to the creation of the city’s so-called Ross Camp behind the Gateway Plaza Shopping Center. In recent months, Caltrans officials have organized large-scale homeless encampment removals at the intersections of Highway 1 and River Street, at the Harvey West Friendship Garden and along the San Lorenzo River levee behind Santa Cruz Memorial cemetery.

A city-sanctioned tent encampment in the San Lorenzo Park Benchlands, initially planned for 120 tents, has since swelled beyond initial capacity. A federal court injunction barring Santa Cruz from closing that park’s camp was lifted last month.